Dominican Republic

the Dominican Republic flag

Hola / Hello from the Dominican Republic

Language: Spanish

The Dominican Republic’s warm climate and pristine beaches have made it popular with sun-seeking tourists. It is also home to impoverished communities that struggle with gang activity and unsafe water. Compassion-assisted children experience these realities daily. But at the Compassion center, there is hope.

Dominican Republic Stats

POPULATION: 9,445,281
44.3% Roman Catholic
13% Evangelical
7.9% Protestant
34.8% Other

66,831
CHILDREN SERVED

243
CHURCHES SERVING

53
YEARS SERVING

Four boys take a break from playing and sit against a fence with their basketballs

Four boys take a break from playing and sit against a fence with their basketballs.

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A girl smiles in front of a rainbow-painted wall in her classroom

A girl smiles in front of a rainbow-painted wall in her classroom.

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A group of children play baseball in the street

A group of children play baseball in the street.

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A group of children smile and wave outside of their child development center

A group of children smile and wave outside of their child development center.

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A boy smiles in front of a baseball field

A boy smiles in front of a baseball field.

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A group of children laugh together at their child development center

A group of children laugh together at their child development center.

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Children read their Bibles together at their child development center

Children read their Bibles together at their child development center.

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A mother smiles and holds her baby

A mother smiles and holds her baby.

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Teenage boys eat a nutritious meal together at their child development center

Teenage boys eat a nutritious meal together at their child development center.

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A boy shoots a basketball

A boy shoots a basketball.

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5 FACTS ABOUT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

  1. The Dominican Republic is home to the Caribbean's highest peak, Pico Duarte, standing at an impressive 10,164 feet (3,098 meters) above sea level.
  2. The country shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
  3. It is renowned for its beautiful beaches, stretching along its extensive coastline.
  4. Baseball is their most popular sport.
  5. It is known for its rich merengue and bachata music traditions.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Issue: In urban areas like Santiago, youth delinquency has become a major challenge. The Dominican Republic faces crime-related challenges including gang activity, robbery, high murder rates and drug trafficking.

Response: At Compassion student centers, young people participate in social clubs built around interests like sports, arts and reading. Vocational training for skills including technology, welding and carpentry also provides constructive opportunities apart from gang activity.

Prayer Point: Pray that youth will discover their identity and purpose through Jesus Christ and be drawn to the positive atmosphere of the center rather than the negative influence of gangs.

A girl working on the computer in her school

Teenagers receive vocational training for skills to improve their future.

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Did You Know?

Music and dance are very important to Dominican culture. Two of the most popular types of music are merengue and bachata — both perfect for dancing!

Sponsor a Child in the Dominican Republic

Life in The Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic Fast Facts

Official Name: Dominican Republic

Form of Government: Presidential republic

Capital: Santo Domingo

Population: 10,499,707

Official Language: Spanish

Currency: Dominican peso

Area: 18,791 square miles (48,670 square kilometers)

Compassion has been working in the Dominican Republic since 1970. These Dominican Republic facts and statistics provide a good picture of the reality of poverty and how child sponsorship through Compassion is making a difference.

Poverty is a problem in the country of the Dominican Republic but with your support, Compassion is working to change this. The Dominican Republic facts tell a difficult story, but Compassion is bringing hope in the midst of the difficulties. Our programs are changing the statistics one child at a time.

Don't let the hopelessness of poverty overwhelm you. Donate to children in the Dominican Republic!